Bear hugs: Centers find a way to reach out to lonely seniors
By TAYLOR BROWN
tbrown@yourmvi.com
Two area senior centers want to make sure residents aren’t lonely in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Monessen and West Newton centers for active adults have partnered to host a Hugs for Seniors fundraiser.
Monessen Senior Center Manager Miriam Boso said though the centers have been forced to adapt to the pandemic and temporarily close their doors, they want to make sure members know they are not alone.
“Even though we are not open right now and offering delivery services and things like that, we like to call our seniors to check in on them and make sure they are doing OK,” Boso said. “Well recently, I made five calls and each resident told me the same thing, they just wanted a hug. They were not worried about food or bingo, but they just wanted to hug someone.”
Many Mon Valley seniors, who are more likely to contract or suffer from complications due to the virus, have isolated themselves since it began.
“They are not seeing their families, going to the grocery store or having very little contact with people because of the risks COVID-19 could have,” she said. “When so many told me they would like a hug, I knew I would not be able to give that to them, but started to think of other ways we might be able to address this need.”
The organizations came up with the idea for a new fundraiser that would provide area seniors will a personal teddy bear to hold onto when they feel down or lonely.
The program needs the help of residents to purchase bears — for $6 each — that will be delivered to area residents.
The bears will be sterilized, individually wrapped and “quarantined” for 14 days before being delivered to homes with personalized notes.
“We know this will not replace them hugging a loved one or friend, but it will help them mentally,” Boso said. “Just to have something to hold on to and to remind them that someone is thinking about them.”
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